Hot Wheels brings Hollywood F1 miniature movie magic
With F1 The Movie roaring into cinemas this week, Hot Wheels is jumping on the grid with a limited-edition die-cast model inspired by the film’s fictional Apex Grand Prix (APXGP) team.
The new 1:64 scale Formula 1 car lands on MattelCreations.com
from 24 June, just ahead of the movie’s theatrical release on 27 June. It costs £30, which is a little more than your average Hot Wheels car, but this one comes with a bit of Hollywood sheen.
This isn’t Hot Wheels’ first lap with Formula 1. The brand signed a multi-year licensing deal with the sport last year and has already dropped a couple of sold-out launches. This APXGP release leans further into the crossover crowd — motorsport fans, collectors, and movie buffs alike.
Finished in black and gold, the model mirrors the livery of the APXGP car of Sonny Hayes, played by Brad Pitt. It even includes a moulded driver’s helmet, complete with the number seven, but no blue steel stares. There’s also a trio of miniature Pirelli tyre sets and a little tyre rack, which elevate this from “toy car” to “collector’s shelf candy.” Packaging comes in a clear ‘Kar Keepers’ case for maximum display flex.
According to Hot Wheels exec Roberto Stanichi, “The APXGP die-cast allows Hot Wheels to connect with a new audience of moviegoers who now have the opportunity to own a 1:64 scale piece of cinematic and racing history.” Which is a slightly corporate way of saying that this is a small, shiny thing with Brad Pitt’s character attached to it, and it looks cool.
As for the film itself? F1 The Movie is directed by Joseph Kosinski (the man behind Top Gun: Maverick) and produced by a small army of heavy hitters, including F1’s Lewis Hamilton and Jerry Bruckheimer. Sonny Hayes, a former F1 golden boy from the ’90s, is coaxed out of retirement by his old teammate (played by Javier Bardem) for one last shot at glory. There’s a fast-rising rookie (Damson Idris), a troubled past, and presumably plenty of scenes where someone dramatically removes a helmet in slow motion.
The film promises full-throttle action all the way, and Hot Wheels is sure to provide 1/64th of that with its APXGP model.
He is the founder of Huff Media, publisher of Professional Pickup, Professional Van, Average Janes, Average Joes, and CALIBRE. His work focuses primarily on light commercial vehicles, pickups, and real-world vehicle use, with much of his time spent on manufacturer launches, industry events, and long-term vehicle testing.